2004 Ford Explorer Cruise Control Problems

Your engine stalls when cruise control is engaged while driving downhill at around 35 mph — the engine RPM drops below 500 and dies, causing you to lose power steering and brakes. This makes it difficult to steer and brake, creating a serious safety risk if you're on a curve, approaching a traffic light, or near pedestrians. The problem doesn't occur at higher speeds and may require diagnostic work on the cruise control system and engine idle control components.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CHEVROLET COBALT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, RESULTING IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TREE AND OTHER UNKNOWN VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT VIN IS NOT VALID *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 70MPH. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE. MY EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST PRESSURE TRIED HITTING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, RPMS, STILL DROPPING, NO FUEL PRESSURE AT ALL. I WAS TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET OVER AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SPEED OF THE OTHER VEHICLES AND IF I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I MADE IT OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER I WAS LITERALLY GOING ABOUT 5MPH. IT WAS THE MOST INTENSE MOMENT IN MY LIFE, CAR, TRUCKS, TRACTOR TRAILERS MOVING AT 70+MPH DON'T SEE YOU UNTIL THEY ARE UP ON YOU. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FORD HAS KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. INSTEAD OF TAKING CARE THE ISSUE THEY WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THIS UNACCEPTABLE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND THEY WAIT AND WAIT UNTIL SOME MAGICAL NUMBER OR LORD FORBIDS SOMEONE DIES TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. YOU CALL THEM AND THEY TELL YOU "NO RECALLS ON YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS TIME KEEP YOUR RECEIPT IF YOU GET IT REPAIRED INCASE A RECALL OCCURS IN THE FUTURE" WHAT THIS MEANS IS, "THEY PROBABLY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE BUT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVEN'T COMPLAINED"! THEY HAVE LAWSUITS BEING FILED AS WE SPEAK SO I'M ASKING "NHTSA" TO ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION ON OUR BEHALF. EVERYONE PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!!!!

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60MPG, OUT OF NO WHERE MY FORD EXPLORER STOPS MOVING AND DECREASES IN SPEED FAST. AT THAT SAME TIME A WRENCH SYMBOL POPPED UP ON MY DASH. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO THE SPEED DROPPING SO FAST, I COULD NOT PULL OVER FAST ENOUGH. ONCE PULLED OVER, I TURNOFF MY FORD FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED IT BACK UP. THE WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE, I WAS ABLE TO THEN ACCELERATE AND GET TO THE CORRECT SPEED FOR THE SPEED LIMIT. ONCE I GOT HOME I STOPPED AT MY LOCAL SHOP AND THEY SCANNED THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY. I WAS NOT GIVING ANY CODES AND THE SHOP OWNER CLEARED THE CODES OUT OF THE SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME THAT IF IT COMES BACK HE DID SAY THAT IF IT COMES BACK I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS THAT ARE BEING PETITION ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITES IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE FORD SHOULD REALLY REPLACE THESE BECAUSE THEY CAN CAUSE A VERY HAZARDOUS ACCIDENT WHEN IT THE THROTTLE BODY STOPS PERFORMING. I HOPE THIS CAN BE LOOKED INTO AND CORRECTED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU

TRANSMISSION SLIPPIND O/D LIGHT FLASHING RPM'S HIGH JUST BOUGHT CAR NOT HAPPY

WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A SOMETIMESS A DELAYED REPONSE WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVES IT IS SUDDEN AND UNXPECTED. AS RESULT OF THIS I RECENTLY BACKED INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE FENCE

DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WAS OUT IN INTERSECTION AND IT JUST TOOK OFF SPEEDING SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT BACK UP AND LIKE LOST ALL POWER NO CONTROL OF FOOT FEET EXPLORER STARTED SHAKING AND DIED TRIED TO START NO SUCCESS. TOWED IT HOME HAD MECHANIC PUT IT ON COMPUTER AND GOT P2111 FORD -THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM STUCK OPEN. AND I CHANGED THE TPS AND NO LUCK CHANGED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY NO LUCK STILL WON'T START. WAS DOING RESEARCH AND SEVERAL FORDS HAVE BEEN HAVING SAME PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN. # WASN'T ON THE LIST. IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM THAT I AM HAVING WHY CAN'T HE HELP ME TOO. *TR

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, ITS NOT WANTING TO RUN. THEN WHEN I START TO PULL OUT IT STALLS. I MEAN, U PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND IT TAKES MAYBE FOUR SECONDS BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS, THEN THE TIRES SPIN IT JERKS FORWARD AND MY KIDS SCREAM. IT JERKS U BACK IN THE SEAT. OK, WE'RE ON THE ROAD, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS GOING TO RUN. ONE MINUTE ITS ACTING LIKE ITS GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. THE NEXTS ITS LIKE IT ISN'T. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I CALL THE GUY WHO WORKS ON CARS, HE USE TO BE A HEAD MECHANIC FOR HAS HIS OWN SHOP NOW, HE AUTOMATICALLY TELLS ME ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAYS IF I CANT FIND A USED ONE, U WONT LIKE BUYIN A NEW ONE. AN THE BAD THING IS U HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY 120000 MILES. NOW ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE AUTO PARTS STORE SAYS ABOUT $725 WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PART, WHAT ABOUT THE LABOR??? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD A THIRD ROW SEAT. I HAVE THREE KIDS. I NEED IT TO BE SAFE, NOT A DEATH TRAP. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM, FIX IT!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,300.

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON IT'S OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULE WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF REPAIR OF $644.00. *TR

WHEN SETTING CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH THE ENGINE DIES. THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OUT OF TRAFFIC. TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN IT WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL YOU TRY TO SET THE CRUISE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR FIVE MILES. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, REACHING SPEEDS OF UP TO 65 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND CAR STALLED. AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH, TRAFFIC 100 - 120 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. PRESSED THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO INITIALLY START TO SLOW, HOWEVER, AS WE APPROACHED THE STOPPED TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND WE COULD NOT STOP, CAUSING US TO HIT THE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. THE VEHICLE WE HIT MOVED FORWARD A FEW FEET AND WE HIT THE REAR-END AGAIN AS THE EXPLORER'S ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND DRIVE US FORWARD EVEN WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THE SECOND COLLISION, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE EXPLORER OFF TO THE SIDE OF A ROAD, NOTIFY THE POLICE, AND FILE A ACCIDENT REPORT. THE EXPLORER HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO EVALUATE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. *TR

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

THERE IS A LONG HESITATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE EITHER FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GATE AND THEN BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF YET THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 9/20/11 *CN UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

SPEED CONTROL OPERATES ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, DISCONNECTS WITHOUT WARNING, AND OCCASIONALLY SPEEDS THE CAR UP WITHOUT WARNING. REAR WARNING SYSTEM IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL (SPEED CONTROL) WOULD DISENGAGE ON ITS OWN AND AT THE SAME TIME KILL THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DOES IT MUCH MORE OFTEN AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH, SO I DON'T USE THE CRUISE AT SLOWER SPEEDS; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT ABOVE 50 MPH AND THE ABS LIGHT ALSO COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES YOUR POWER-STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY TAKE OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED -1/10/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER SO THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE THROTTLE BODY DID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME; THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE THROTTLE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,830 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,839.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY SUDDENLY KICKED BACK. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. PREVIOUS MODELS (2002) WERE RECALLED FOR THE ABS LIGHT AND SPEED CONTROL ISSUE (09S09). I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 EXPLORER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, IT IS OK FOR A WHILE THEN THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP AGAIN. COULD THIS BE A FIRE PROBLEM? *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER (V8 EDDIE BAUER) I RECENTLY RAN INTO A STRANGE SITUATION. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 35 MPH AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN A SMALL HILL, THE CAR STALLED. I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE 2004 EXPLORER STALLS WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AND IT IS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND MAY APPEAR ABNORMAL SINCE IT HAS A V8 ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT ACCELERATING AT ALL. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH OCCURRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE-WAY, SHE TURNED ON THE IGNITION, AND THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY FOR 50 FEET, WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A LARGE ROADWAY CURB, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER THE SPEED CONTROL SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER COULD NOT BE FOUND ONLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

WHEN YOU ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL IT SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

ON DECEMBER 17, 2008 AT AROUND 6:50 A.M., I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK. WE LIVE IN A QUIET VILLAGE TYPE RESIDENTIAL AREA. AFTER TWO MINUTES OR SO AFTER I PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I ESTIMATE THE VEHICLE REACHED 45 MPH OR MORE IN A VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME, AND APPARENTLY INCREASING. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL FOR 3 SECONDS OR MORE, DESPITE MY FOOT BEING AWAY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE, BUT I REALIZED THIS COULDN'T BE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS INCREASINGLY ROARING AND GETTING LOUDER AS I GAINED SPEED. IT REMINDED ME OF THE SENSATION WHEN CRUISE CONTROL PICKS UP SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. BESIDES, I WASN'T LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT LIKE MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT WAS BEING PRESSED EVEN FURTHER MORE. WHEN I REALIZED I WASN'T SKIDDING, I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. GOOD THING, THE STREET WAS DESERTED. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MEMORY WAS THE SUDDEN ROARING OF THE ENGINE AND THE RAPID ACCELERATION DESPITE MY FOOT BEING OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 38F, WITH A SLIGHT DRIZZLE. *TR

DETAILS: ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE CONTROL, WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED OR JUST STARTING OUT AND GIVE GAS IT DOSE NOT START TO GO SO YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE GAS AND THEN IT WILL JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARD( IF YOU ARE BACKING UP) TO APPOINT THAT IT WILL SOME TIMES SQUEAL THE TIRES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WOULD SHIFT SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT FROM BEHIND. IN FOR REPAIR AT SELLERS SEXTON FORD, ST ROBERT MO. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER LIMITED AND JUST TURNED 14,000 MILES AND MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE. ALSO THE CRUISE STOPPED WORKING. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ABS MODULE WHICH FORD HAS APPARENTLY BEEN AWARE OFF. NOT HAPPY!! I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS SORT OF PROBLEM WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MY 2004 FORD LIMITED V8 CRUISE CONTROL CAN KILL THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN USING THE COAST BUTTON ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE SPEED AS I APPROACH A SPEED SIGN LOWER THAN MY EXISTING SPEED. IF I HOLD THE BUTTON AS THE CAR SLOWS TO A SPEED BELOW 35MPH (APPROXIMATE) THE ENGINE QUITS LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR VACUUM BRAKING. I'VE TRIED IT SEVERAL TIME AND THE FAULT IS CONSISTENT. WHENEVER THE CAR SLOWS TO BELOW THE MINIMUM CRUISE CONTROL THE DEVICE SHOULD DISENGAGE, NOT STALL THE ENGINE. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF IT. *TR

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL PROPERLY ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE BUTTONS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS USED. THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM AS I THOUGHT IT WAS A FORD DEFECT AND SUBSEQUENTLY USED YOUR WEBSITE TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS. NO RECALLS OR CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE CURRENTLY LISTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE SO THAT FORD MAY REPAIR IT. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 30 -35 MPH MY VEHICLE TURNS OFF AND ALL THE GAUGES TURN ON. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS ON A CURVE GOING ABOUT 32 MPH AND I NEARLY RAN HEAD ON TO THE CAR IN THE ONLY LANE BECAUSE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT GETS DIFFICULT. EVERYTIME I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT THIS SPEEDS AND DRIVING ON A MILITARY POST WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 30MPH CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR

PARKED CAR OUTSIDE GARAGE @ 23:00 HOURS. APPROX. 01:15 AM NEIGHBORS WERE BANGING ON OUR WINDOWS TO WAKE US UP SAYING OUR CAR AND HOUSE WERE ON FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED ON OCTOBER 16, 2007 UNDER RECALL NUMBER 05S28. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,900.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLS AND THE BRAKES FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY COULD BE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE COAST BUTTON IS PRESSED, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT CERTAIN SPEEDS IT SOMETIMES SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THREE OF THEIR TECHNICIANS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND SHOWN THEM THAT IT SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF. HOWEVER, THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE FIRST DAY I OWNED THE CA, THEY NOW WANT ME TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX IT.*AK

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IT TAKES A FULL SECOND OR MORE FOR IT TO DISENGAGE AFTER THE BREAKS ARE APPLIED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NORMAL, THAT MY VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL THAT IS CONTROLLED BY A CABLE DRIVEN BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND NOT A VACUUM CONTROL LIKE MOST CARS. IF THIS IS TRUE IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I HAVE HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON A HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY LANE ABRUPTLY WHERE IF THE CRUISE DISENGAGED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION OR A CLOSE CALL. HOWEVER, AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES I WAS FIGHTING THE CONTINUAL ACCELERATION, OR SLOW DECELERATION OF THE ENGINE. MY OTHER CARS DUMP IMMEDIATELY, IN FACT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HITS YOUR FOOT IF ITS THERE, NOT SO WITH THE FORD. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; WITHOUT INCIDENT IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD SNAPPED. THERE WAS NO CAUSE AS TO WHY IT HAD FAILED.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE TIRES STARTED SQUEALING AND SPINNING. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO GO THROUGH A SET OF CABINETS AND PINNED THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND BETWEEN A WALL AND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND SPENT A WEEK IN THE TRAUMA UNIT. THE ACCIDENT HAD BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. PICTURES AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION ARE AVAILABLE. THERE WAS OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. *AK (12/08/05) *SC

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES SINCE 8-23-05. THE CAR STALLED AT 40 MPH OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND AN AIR FILTER PIECE. IT STILL STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8-19-05. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON PRIOR TO STALLING. THE RPMS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THIS DID HAPPEN ONLY WHEN SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, 25,500 MILES. THE MILES THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE MILEAGE WAS 23,800. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , AND SAID THEY WERE NOT SYMPATHETIC. *AK

IN FEB 05 TOOK CAR TO SHOP TO REPORT THAT IT REVS UP AT TIMES , WHEN FOOT NOT ON GAS PEDDLE.THEY SAID THEY REPLACED CLUTCH SOLENOID. IT SEEMED TO STOP, BUT TOOK IT BACK IN MAY AND WAS TOLD IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES WHEN THEY HOOKED IT TO COMPUTER AND TO MAKE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING GAS PEDDLE WHEN I WAS STOPPING. THE EXPLORER CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF REVING UP WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE. I FEEL I CAN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT. AS THEY ACK LIKE I AM STUPID AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM SPEAKING OF. I AM SCARED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. CONSUMER SMELLED WIRES BURNING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. *AK

2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. *MR THE THROTTLE RESPONSE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS. FORD ISSUED ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO REFLASH THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SURGE THAT ACCELERATES 3-5 MPH FROM SPEEDS BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MPH WITH A DEAD SPOT PROCEEDING THE SURGE. *SC *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE AND THE ATTENDANT SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT AUTOMATICALLY BURNED WHILE PARKED. *AK

WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGINE STALLED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *AK

WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE HADN'T BEEN FIRMLY PRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE SHOT INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN ORDER TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE. *JB

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM CONSUMER WAS TURNING LEFT TOWARDS GARAGE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 50 TO 60 MPH. *LA

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARKED POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK

I WAS PARKING IN AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE AT JEFFERSON/WOODWARD IN DETROIT. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5-7 MPH LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT. I FOUND AND SPOT AND BEGAN TO TURN INTO IT. WHEN I TURNED MY WHEEL, MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND WOULDN'T STOP EVEN THOUGH I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A BRICK WALL. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT ED SCHMID FORD IN FERNDALE. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT MY INSURANCE PREMIUM MAY INCREASE BECAUSE THIS ACCIDENT IS VIEWED AT AND AT FAULT ACCIDENT. FORD IS GOING TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO CHECK OUT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR.*AK